Tamara Braun Was Happy to Go Back to Work at a Hotel While Starring on GENERAL HOSPITAL

The reality of being a working actor has been in the news recently after a FOX News report on actor Geoffrey Owens that revealed the former THE COSBY SHOW actor was working at a Trader Joe’s grocery store. This led to many actors sharing their own stories explaining how a second job is necessary to pay the bills in between gigs, and how the media shouldn't shame actors for making ends meet. Now, GENERAL HOSPITAL star Tamara Braun (Kim) has revealed that she went back to work at her hotel job even after joining the cast of GH in 2001. “Being an actor, musician, writer, dancer, photographer or artist/creative of any kind is reallyhard,” she shared on Instagram. “Most have other types of jobs while pursuing their craft. Unless you come from family money it is practically impossible not to. I have had many jobs to pay the bills while pursuing my career.”

Braun rejoined GH in 2017 as Kim Nero, but back in 2001, her career took off when she replaced Sarah Joy Brown as Carly Corinthos. Of course, at the time, it was just another job, and not one she could guarantee would last. “When I landed my role on GH the first time around it was after many, many years of trying to book something that would stick, something where I could make a living as a working actor,” Braun confided. “People close to me were excited that I got a contract role and had a paid acting job for four years! But here is the thing; I knew that my contract stated that my employer had the right to terminate every few months, so in my mind I was employed as an actor only for that long.

“I was working at The Four Seasons hotel in LA when I booked it and asked to stay on the schedule ‘on call’ because I may need that job again,” she continued. “One day they called for a weekend shift. They were in need. I had been airing on the show daily for maybe five or six months at the time. I went in. I worked the shift and I was happy to do it and extremely grateful for all the years they helped me survive by employing me so I could pay the bills.”

Braun shared a picture of her Four Seasons name tags, explaining that she would wear the "Candy" one when she forgot her own! (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Braun has enjoyed quite a career both in and out of daytime with roles on many different shows, both regular and guest-starring, but she reminds fans that actors only get paid when they’re working. “Some years it was quite difficult,” she admitted, “other years it was quite fruitful. That’s the thing with this business, it’s unpredictable. I think the statistic is that under ten percent of SAG/AFTRA members actually make a living as actors. That’s a very low number.

“Smart and responsible actors have other jobs as well,” Braun concluded. “Let’s have respect for people making an honest living in whatever capacity. No one job holds more value than the other. Stop shaming and let’s support each other. Work is work! There is honor in having a job.”

For more on your favorite GH stars, keep reading the ABC edition of Soaps in Depth magazine!